The Springfield Falcons are beginning another season, but this season they're doing it with new ownership and a new outlook on the future.

We've all followed the trials and travails of the Falcons over the last few years. There were season ticket drives, all the stories about them moving, then staying.

Well the Falcons have that new owner, lots of new names on the roster, but begin the season with the same old goals in mind.

Wednesday morning at the MassMutual Center the Falcons spent time shooting a new series of television spots to promote the upcoming season.

This is a big year for the Falcons. Just about a year ago Springfield’s hockey future looked bleak.

Owners of the team wanted to cash in. Most potential buyers wanted to move the team out of town. But in the end Bruce Landon found New Haven businessman Charlie Pompea. A deal was signed, and the rest is history.

“There was a lot of doubt for a long period of time,” said Falcons President and GM Bruce Landon. “Getting Charlie Pompea on board as the majority owner and myself having a chance to stick around a little bit longer. Keeping this franchise going means a lot to not only me but to the city and all the great fans we have here.”

Also happy to be back are the players. Players like rookie goaltender Paul Dainton.

The former UMass standout was signed as a free agent in the off season. He’s back trying to win a permanent roster spot.

“At UMass I spent four years there and it was unbelievable,” said Dainton. ”Just to come down here there’s a lot of support. There’s some fans here that are yelling, ‘I watched you at Umass’, stuff like that. So it’s a nice feeling knowing there are people following your career and supporting you.”

And while the fans support Dainton from the stands, a strong veteran cast will support the team on the ice.

The Falcons have some returning players for sure, but a cast of newcomers offer a chance for some real on ice success.

Players like scoring sensation Alexandre Giroux who won two Calder Cups with the Hershey Bears. Same goes for Andrew Joudrey, another two-time Calder Cup winner with the Bears. Add right winger Cody Bass who won a Calder Cup at Binghamton last season, and that makes for a lot of veteran star power.

“You look at guys like Giroux and Joudrey and Byers, we all have been around this league for a few years,” said Bass. ”They know what it’s all about.”

“I think we’re all just trying to bring a little bit of leadership. Trying to bring in that winning attitude, and I think this dressing room has it.”

“Just having that mentality,” said Joudrey. ”That culture in the locker room just bring everybody up a level. It helps improve our team.”

Alexandre Giroux concurred. “We just show the young guys and the guys who have been in the league two or three years that it starts this week.”

“It doesn’t start when the playoffs start. It’s a long process and you have to be on the same page. All through the year to get to the playoffs. All these guys have to show that starts right now.”

The future is now for the Springfield Falcons. So far this season they’ve split their first two games against Manchester and Albany. Both games were road games, and there’s another at Wilkes-Barre on Friday night.

Saturday night the Falcons open the home campaign against the Providence Bruins. Springfield sporting one of its most talented rosters in years.